₹1.5L for 9999, ₹1L for 1 or 9: Telangana issues new fee structures for fancy vehicle numbers

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has issued an order for fancy registration numbers for motor vehicles.

The government order makes it clear that all the fancy number registrations will now be online.

This new amendment is published in the Telangana Gazette, which outlines a new online system for reserving these coveted "fancy" numbers and a tiered fee structure.

It is now open for public scrutiny. If anyone has any suggestions or objections, he or she can send them to the government.

In FY24, five Regional Transport Authorities (RTAs) in Hyderabad generated a record revenue of ₹124.2 crore from fancy number plate registrations.

Key Changes in the Draft Amendment

The proposed changes focus on Rule 81 of the Telangana Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Key modifications include:

Online-Only Application:

All applications for special numbers must now be submitted online via the Transport Department portal, www.transport.telangana.gov.in. Applications will be accepted from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and no in-person applications will be accepted.

Revised Fee Structure:

The amendment establishes a new, specific fee schedule for a range of special numbers. Fees vary based on the number's popularity and demand. Some of the notable fees include:

₹1,50,000 for the number 9999.

₹1,00,000 for numbers like 1, 9, and 6666.

₹50,000 for numbers such as 99, 999, 3333, 4444, 5555, and 7777.

Fees for other special numbers range from ₹40,000 to ₹20,000.

A reservation fee of ₹6,000 (or ₹3,000 for two-wheelers) applies to special numbers not listed in the higher-tier categories.

Online Bidding System:

In cases where multiple applicants vie for the same special number, a new online bidding process will be implemented from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The number will be allotted to the highest bidder.

Forfeiture of Fees:

If an applicant fails to participate in the bidding process, their initial fee will be forfeited. Additionally, 10% of the reservation fee will be non-refundable for unsuccessful bidders.

Deadline for Vehicle Registration: After a number is reserved, the vehicle must be presented for registration within 15 days. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the reservation, and the number will be re-notified for a new application process.

Public Objection Period

The draft amendment is now open for public feedback for 30 days from its publication date. Citizens who wish to submit objections or suggestions should address them to the Special Chief Secretary to the Government, Transport, Roads & Buildings Department, through the Transport Commissioner, Telangana, Hyderabad.

Objections and suggestions must be submitted in duplicate.

The new rules are being introduced under the powers conferred by Section 65 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and are a move toward digitizing and standardizing the process of vehicle registration in the state.

Fancy number earnings

2023: In the first nine months of 2023 alone, the Telangana Road Transport Authority (RTA) generated ₹53.9 crore from the auction of fancy numbers in the districts of Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal.

Officials at the time predicted that the RTA would surpass its 2022 earnings of ₹72.7 crore by the end of the year. This suggests a very high volume of these numbers was issued throughout 2023.

2024:

In the financial year 2023-2024, the five Regional Transport Authorities (RTAs) in Hyderabad generated a record revenue of ₹124.2 crore from fancy number plate registrations.

A single auction for the first series of "TG" number plates in May 2024 generated ₹2.7 crore from the sale of fancy numbers.

One individual paid a record ₹25.5 lakh for the number "9999" in an auction in May 2024.

2025:

In April, a single auction in Hyderabad generated ₹37.15 lakh for the RTA, Hyderabad.

The number 0001 was secured by TDP MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna for Rs 7.75 lakh.